Wire gate fastener



y 9, 1956 R. w. FUHRINGER WIRE GATE FASTENER Filed June '7, 1955 Rudolph W. F uhr/nger IN 1 EN TOR.

BY QM W MW United States Patent WIRE GATE FASTENER Rudolph W. Fuhringer, Dutton, Mont.

Application June 7, 1955, Serial No. 513,683

2 Claims. (Cl. 292-247) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in fasteners particularly for wire gates, and has for its primary object to provide a device of this character which is easily operated and which, further, may be readily adjusted to stretch the gate taut.

Another important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an adjustable, easily operated wire gate fastener of the aforementioned character which comprises novel locking means.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a wire gate fastener of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, showing a wire gate fastener constructed in accordance with the present invention installed;

Figure 2 is.a top plan view thereof with a-portion broken away in section;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale with portions broken away in section; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the operating lever.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a metallic hinge or pivot plate 5 which is secured vertically on the upper end portion of the fence post 6. The plate 5 includes upstanding knuckles or bearings 7 which project above the horizontal plane of the upper end of the fence post 6.

Mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the plate 5 is a metallic hand lever 8 of substantially the shape shown. Mounted transversely on one end portion of the lever 8 is a pin or the like 9 which is journaled in the bearings 7.

Also mounted transversely on the lever 8, adjacent to but spaced from the pin 9, is a sleeve 10. A rod 11 is mounted in the sleeve 10 and projects beyond the ends thereof.

Mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the projecting end portions of the rod 11 is a metallic yoke 12. The yoke 12 is engageable over the upper end portion of the usual bar 13 on the free ends of the wires 14 of a conventional wire gate 15. The end portions of the yoke 12 are provided with spaced openings 16 in which the rod 11 is selectively engageable for adjustably mounting said yoke on the lever 8. The end portions of the rod 11 are apertured to accommodate retaining cotter pins 17 for the yoke 12.

Fixed on the lever 8 at an intermediate point is a leg 18. At its free end, the leg 18 terminates in a foot 19 for abutting engagement with the post 6 when the lever 8 is in operative or locking position. The foot 19 is provided with a slot 20 for the passage of an eye bolt 21 which is mounted horizontally in the fence post 6. A suitable padlock 22 may be engaged in the eye bolt 21 for positively locking the lever 8 in operative position.

It is thought that the operation of the fastener will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, to stretch the wire gate 15 taut and secure same in closed position, the upper end portion of the bar 13 is engaged in the yoke 12. The hand lever 8 is then swung rearwardly and downwardly from the dotted line to the full line position shown in Figure 1 of the drawing for stretching and securing the gate. As the lever 8 is thus swung downwardly, the slotted foot 19 engages the post 6, passing over the eye bolt 21. Thus, the elements 18 and 19 constitute a positive stop for the lever 8 when it reaches operative position. Then, to secure the lever 8 in operative position and positively prevent unauthorized opening of the gate 15, the padlock 22 may be engaged in the eye bolt 21. Of course, to open the gate, the foregoing operation is substantially reversed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. A wire gate fastener of the character described comprising: a plate mounted vertically on the upper end portion of the fence post and including upstanding bearings projecting above the horizontal plane of the upper end of said post, a vertically swingable hand lever, a pin on one end portion of said lever journaled in the bearings, a sleeve mounted transversely on the lever adjacent to but spaced from said pin, a yoke engageable with the upper end portion of the wire gate bar and having spaced openings in its end portions, a rod mounted in the sleeve and projecting beyond the ends thereof, the end portions of said rod being selectively engageable in the openings for adjustably and pivotally mounting the yoke on the lever, and means for positively securing the lever in operative position, said means including an eye bolt mounted horizontally in the post, a leg fixed on the lever at an intermediate point, a foot on the free end of said leg adapted for abutting engagement with the post, said foot having a slot therein for the passage of the eye bolt, and a lock engaged in the eye bolt for anchoring the foot thereto.

2. A Wire gate fastener of the character described comprising: a hand lever mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the fence post, a yoke pivotally mounted on said lever and engageable over the upper end portion of the wire gate bar for operatively connecting the lever thereto, and means for securing the lever in operative position, said means including a leg fixed on the lever at an intermediate point, a foot on the free end of said leg engageable with the post, said foot having a slot therein, an eye bolt mounted horizontally in the post and engageable in the slot, and a lock engaged in the eye bolt for anchoring said foot thereto.

Ruppe June 5, 1923 Limpo et a1. Sept. 4, 1951 

